SLSC Lifesaving Teams
SLSC lifesaving team members should refer to the SLSNSW Public Safety SOPs for the policies and guidelines that apply to lifesaving operations in NSW. You should send any feedback or queries about lifesaving operations to your local SLSNSW Branch DoL and the SLSNSW Lifesaving Team, who will collate and refer to it for future policy, guideline and procedure updates.
They should also frequently refer to the On Patrol, SLSNSW Circulars and SLSNSW Publications webpages to stay updated with the latest industry changes applicable to the public safety and aquatic rescue industry and SLS organisational requirements for lifesaving operations.
Any financial member wanting to become a member of their SLSC’s lifesaving team should refer to the SLSNSW website for more information.
Patrol Captains
The Patrol Captain is the principal leader of their patrol’s lifesaving functions on the beach. At the operational level, the major function of the Patrol Captain is to ensure effective beach management and rescue capabilities are established and maintained during their rostered watch.
Patrol Vice-captains
Patrol Vice-captains may be available to support Patrol Captains manage the beach.
Gear Stewards
Gear Stewards support patrol teams and the SLSC DoL to look after the condition and storage of SLSC gear and equipment, and help ensure that the SLSC has any required emergency response equipment set up and ready to respond 24/7. Some Gear Stewards may be responsible for particular equipment areas within an SLSC, for example, a first aid officer may be responsible for equipment within the first aid room and an IRB captain may be responsible for all powercraft equipment.
SLSC Emergency Call-out Teams
SLSC Emergency Call-out Teams respond (if available) to incidents at their beach and surrounding areas outside of patrol hours and/or in support of an on-duty patrol. Refer to the SLSC Emergency Call-out Team section of this guide for more information.
Rescue Services Teams
Surf Life Saving Rescue Services Teams consist of members working in offshore rescue boats (ORBs), rescue watercraft (RWC), or as Duty Officers and SurfCom operators. Refer to the Branch Rescue Services section of this guide for more information.
SLSC Director of Lifesaving (DoL)
The SLSC DoL has overall responsibility for the SLSC’s lifesaving operations and services.
SLSNSW Branch Director of Lifesaving (DoL)
The SLSNSW Branch DoL supports the SLSC DoL and oversees the same lifesaving services in addition to Rescue Services at a regional level.
SLSNSW Lifesaving Team
The SLSNSW Lifesaving Team provides support and guidance to both SLSC and SLSNSW Branch DoLs.
SLSNSW State Director of Lifesaving (DoL)
The SLSNSW State DoL introduces policies and procedures to ensure that all SLSCs and branches within SLSNSW meet their obligations and minimum lifesaving standards, and that SLS member feedback is adopted in line with the current SLSNSW strategy. They also lead the SLSNSW Lifesaving Team.